He Hua Temple, Buddhist temple in Chinatown, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
He Hua Temple is a Buddhist prayer house spanning four levels, with a dining hall in the basement, worship rooms on the ground floor, and halls containing Buddhist statues. The structure combines Chinese and European architectural elements into a functional whole.
The temple's construction began in the mid-1990s following discussions about revitalizing Amsterdam's Chinatown, with completion in September 2000. The project was part of a broader effort to renew the historic district and accommodate the growing Chinese community.
The temple displays Chinese architectural traditions merged with Dutch construction methods, incorporating yellow glazed Romanesque tiles from local manufacturers. This blend reflects how the Chinese community has become part of Amsterdam's built environment.
The temple is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 13:00 to 15:30 and is located at Zeedijk 106-118 near Nieuwmarkt Square. Entry is free, and accessibility is straightforward as it sits directly on a main street in the city center.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the opening ceremony in 2000, conferring significant status on the building as an important European site. It stands today as one of the continent's largest Buddhist complexes built in Chinese palace architectural style.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
